Abstract
Background: Measles is an infectious disease and a major health concern worldwide. Among individuals with a higher risk of exposure to measles, there are the Health Care Workers (HCWs), who may transmit the virus to other people. According to the Italian National Plan for Immunization and Prevention, all HCWs should have presumptive evidence of immunity to measles (documented two doses of MMR vaccination) or serological evidence of protective antibodies. Aim: The study aims to evaluate the immunological status, the vaccine coverage, and the protective IgG antibody titre for measles in medical students of the teaching hospital PoliclinicoTor Vergata (PTV). Methods: IgG measles antibodies titre was evaluated in a sample of 461 medical students undergoing annual health surveillance visits from January 1st to May 31th, 2020. Results: 73.7% of medical students showed protective measles IgG antibody levels. The immunization rate was higher among subjects aged less than 25 years with respect to students aged over 25 years (77.4% vs. 66.4%; P <0,001). Furthermore, average antibody titre showed a statistically significant association with the age group (124,2 AU/ml for the age group 18-25 and 133,2 AU/ml among subjects aged 25 or more; P<0.001). Conclusion: Our study shows a non-protective measles IgG antibody titre, especially among the older students. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the serological levels, to vaccinate those subjects whose antibody level is not adequate, and promote the vaccination even in the general population.
Highlights
Measles is an infectious disease as it is a member of the genus morbillivirus in the Paramyxoviridae family
The aim of our study is to evaluate the immunological status, the vaccine coverage, and the protective IgG antibody titre for measles in medical students of the teaching hospital PoliclinicoTor Vergata (PTV)
Measles-specific IgG antibodies were detected by means of the LIAISON® Measles IgG assay that uses Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) technology: a semiquantitative evaluation of specific IgG antibodies was obtained
Summary
Measles is an infectious disease as it is a member of the genus morbillivirus in the Paramyxoviridae family. It is a major health concern globally, especially in the underdeveloped countries [1], but it is preventable with a specific vaccine. Among individuals with a higher risk of exposure to measles, there are the Health Care Workers (HCWs) that, as reported in many studies, have a risk 13 times higher than the general population [1]. According to the Italian National Plan for Immunization and Prevention, all HCWs should have presumptive evidence of immunity to measles (documented two doses of MMR vaccination) or serological evidence of protective antibodies
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